Well, it had to happen some time and the six winners in a row winning streak enjoyed by New Zealand based Fortuna Thoroughbred Syndication runners came to and end yesterday, but by the nearest of margins with the Fortuna runner, HIGHLY LIKELY going down by a nose in a head bobbing finish.

The winning streak had started June 18th with HIGHLY LIKELY winning at Te Aroha and then had been followed by 3yo Filly, DARCI’S DREAM winning at Taupo, HIGHLY LIKELY then winning again at Matamata, SIR DARCI winning at New Plymouth, PRINCE HENRY at Taupo and finally, DARCI’S DREAM winning the Black Type event, the Canterbury Belle Stakes at Riccarton. Fortuna supremo, John Galvin, was philosophical,”It had to end sometime, but what a great winning streak it has been and has generated a lot of interest and a number of our Syndicate members have significant profits in their TAB accounts as they have backed up on our winners.” he said. ” Full credit to our trainer, Te Akau Racing’s Jason Bridgman and his dedicated staff for producing our horses in such great order.”

Winning streaks are hard to come by in the very competitive world of Thoroughbred racing, but six New Zealand based runners to the races since mid June have produced six wins in succession for Fortuna Thoroughbred Syndications. The streak began on June 18th when 3yo gelding HIGHLY LIKELY (High Chaparral) won a 2100 metre Highweight event at just his second race day start. Then on 20th August, the 3yo Filly, DARCI’S DREAM (Darci Brahma), already a winner as a 2yo, beat a good field of 3yo fillies at Taupo at her first run as a 3yo. HIGHLY LIKELY, who had been freshened after his first victory in June and now a 4yo, then won a Rating 65 event over 1600 metres at Matamata on 27th August. On September 11th the Gelding SIR DARCI (Darci Brahma), already a three win horse as a 3yo and having his first run as a 4yo, won a Rating 75 event over 1200 metres at New Plymouth. Next up was 3yo Gelding PRINCE HENRY (Henrythenavigator), an impressive trial winner in August and now having his first race day start. He duly obliged, producing a strong finish off a wide barrier draw to score at Taupo over 1200 metres on 19th September. The following day at Riccarton, DARCI’S DREAM stepped out in the time honoured Canterbury Belle Stakes, a Listed race for 3yo fillies and produced a withering finish to take out the 1200 metre event.

“ People are asking me what the secret is,” laughs Fortuna Director, John Galvin, “ but really, we are not doing anything different to what we have always done since we started syndicating back in 2007. We have continued to buy athletic, well conformed horses with nice pedigrees; horses that are in a reasonable price range for syndication and then apply a highly professional to handling and training via our Training establishment, Te Akau Racing, under the steady hand of Jason Bridgman.”

Asked how long the streak can continue for, John Galvin replied,”Well, what I have learned from my involvement in racing over a long period of time is that this game is a great leveller; so we will take what we can get now as I am sure we will have some lean streaks in the future. But the pressure is now really on HIGHLY LIKELY to win at Matamata on 24th September and if he does get up to make it seven wins in succession for us, then all the pressure will be SIR DARCI when he races next at Hastings on 4th October.”

Anticipation among supporters of the Fortuna Syndicates 3yo Filly DARCI’S DREAM was high as start time for the time honoured Canterbury Belle Stakes, a Listed event, approached. A dominant winner at her first run as a three year old at Taupo on 20th August, DARCI’S DREAM or “BABY” as she is nicknamed, had been sent south by her Trainer, Jason Bridgman, to tackle the Listed event with the aim of using the race as one of two lead ups into the ultimate prize, the $300,000 Group One NZ Bloodstock 1000 Guineas, run at Riccarton on the 15th November. DARCI’S DREAM had traveled down to Riccarton through the week, accompanied by her very experienced handler, Steve O’Neil.

Drawn well at barrier 4 in the field of twelve runners and ridden by New Zealand’s most successful ever jockey, the evergreen David Walsh, DARCI’S DREAM jumped nicely, camped in behind the speed, was produced to the outside by Walsh at about the 300 metre mark and then provided her trademark finishing run to burst clear, taking out the event by three quarters of a length, to the cheers of her small army of supporters who were on hand along with Fortuna Director, John Galvin. Click HERE to see race replay.

“I want to give a lot of credit to Trainer, Jason Bridgman for the way he has handled this filly,”said John Galvin.” she showed a lot of promise as an early 2yo, winning a trial in August 2013 in dominant fashion and we had earmarked her as a potential Karaka Million type, but Jason kept backing off her as she went through growing phases as a two year old. I was keen to push her along, but he kept pushing back, saying to me that she would be better as three year old and so it is proving.”

A daughter of the Champion race horse DARCI BRAHMA out of the Van Nistlerooy mare, Sweet Dreams Baby, DARCI’S DREAM was bred by David Ellis and Karyn Fenton Ellis, was acquired by Fortuna Thoroughbred Syndications at the 2013 NZ Bloodstock Karaka Select Sale and syndicated to an ownership group consisting of twenty nine individuals, many of then first time owners.

Amazingly, the win by DARCI’S DREAM at Riccarton was the sixth win in a row for Fortuna Syndicate horses, a run that commenced back in June when HIGHLY LIKELY won at Te Aroha.

Amazingly, the last five New Zealand runners presented by Fortuna Thoroughbred Syndications have resulted in five victories. The run started back on the 18th June when 3yo Gelding, HIGHLY LIKELY (by High Chaparral) won a Highweight event at the Aroha at just his second race day start. The new racing season commenced on 1st August and the first new season runner was 3yo filly, DARCI’S DREAM (by Darci Brahma), who franked her good two year old form when defeating a good field of 3yo fillies at Taupo. On the 27th August, HIGHLY LIKELY delivered again in a thrilling finish in a Rating 65 event at Matamata. On the 11th September, 4yo Gelding SIR DARCI (by Darci Brahma), a three win horse as a 3yo, showed his class when winning a Rating 85 event stylishly at New Plymouth and then on the 19th September, 3yo Gelding PRINCE HENRY (by Henrythenavigator), on his race day debut, put in a very strong effort to down a quality Maiden field at Taupo.

” I am pinching myself,” laughed Fortuna Director John Galvin, “these are the sorts of results you dream about. Full credit to our Trainer, Jason Bridgman and his team, I love working with them. And, of course, our owners are just over the moon.”

Interestingly enough, jockey honours have been shared with the five victories, stable rider Matt Cameron riding two of them, Amateur rider, Jamie Richards one  and Lee Magorrian and Leith Innes riding the other two.

The pressure is now really on 3yo Filly, DARCI’S DREAM, at Riccarton today when she contests the (Listed) Canterbury Belle Stakes for 3yo Fillies with New Zealand’s most successful ever jockey, David Walsh in the saddle. Can she make it six in a row for TEAM FORTUNA?

Fortuna Thoroughbred Syndications utilises the well practised eye of Te Akau Racing Supremo, David Ellis to select its thoroughbreds. Well done David.

3yo Gelding PRINCE HENRY (Henrythenavigator-Ocean of Tears) put in a commanding performance at his race day debut at Taupo today. A well performed trialist, confidence in the camp was high for a bold showing, although punters thought differently, allowing the horse to drift out to $13 on the TAB. With the very experienced senior jockey, Leith Innes aboard, the race plan was to use PRINCE HENRY’S gate speed to jump well and race right on the speed, however, the horse just dwelt slightly as they jumped and with a hot pace on, Innes chose to take a hold of the horse and let him just bowl along. As they came past the 600 metre mark, Innes rode PRINCE HENRY hard to move up the leaders, was four to five horse widths wide as they turned, but under a vigorous ride in the straight PRINCE HENRY responded, keeping his stable mate SONSY at bay, going to the line three quarters of a length clear. Click HERE to see  video replay

Fortuna Director, John Galvin was naturally delighted, “We have always thought that this horse has more than his share of ability; that was a strong field of Maiden runners out there today and to win like that, with what was a tough run on debut,  augers well for his future prospects.”

PRINCE HENRY, trained by Jason Bridgman of Te Akau Racing, was acquired from Hallmark Stud after Fortuna Selector David Ellis had given the horse a big tick after being pointed in his direction by Danny Rolston of New Zealand Bloodstock in July 2013. He is owned by the Fortuna Prince Henry Syndicate made up of 26 individuals, many of them first time owners.

A big two days of racing ahead for the FORTUNA 3yo’s, PRINCE HENRY and DARCI’S DREAM. First out of the blocks is the strapping Gelding, PRINCE HENRY, who makes his race day debut at Taupo on Friday 19th September. An effortless trials winner at Te Teko in early August, this son of Henrythenavigator then backed up with a strong second over more ground in a the next set of trials in late August. “He is ready to go to the races,” said Fortuna Director, John Galvin,” he has been really strong at trials level, now he gets his chance on raceday.” PRINCE HENRY will contest a Maiden event over 1200 metres with senior jockey, Leith Innes, to ride.

Very impressive at Taupo on 20th August, when resuming after a winter break, 3yo Filly DARCI’S DREAM takes a further step up in class when contesting the CANTERBURY BELLE STAKES at Riccarton, Saturday 20th August. A winner as a 2yo, this daughter of Darci Brahma has developed and strengthened as she has transited into a 3yo. “She was super impressive when winning at Taupo fresh up,” says John Galvin,” now she faces a sterner test in Stakes company, but she is up for it.” DARCI’S DREAM will be ridden in the 1200 metre event by New Zealand’s most successful jockey ever, David Walsh.

FORTUNA NEWSLETTER – 01 September 2014

DARCI’S DREAM victorious at Taupo 20th August 2014 – Matt Cameron aboard

IN THIS ISSUE

• Wonderful August results for Fortuna horses

• DARCI’S DREAM beats quality field at Taupo. Click HERE for race replay

• HIGHLY LIKELY makes it two wins from three starts. Click HERE for race replay

• August trials performances creates excitement.

• Upcoming Racing News

• Singapore Update

• Shares For Sale

• Fortuna  Website

Wonderful August results for Fortuna Horses

UPCOMING RACING NEWS

Fortuna  Director – John Galvin

Contact John Galvin directly by email john@fortuna-nz.com or cell phone 021 921 460

Fortuna Thoroughbred Syndications successful run of good fortune continued today with 4yo Gelding SIR DARCI (Darci Brahma-Dominant) taking out the Rating 85 event over 1200 metres at New Plymouth, ridden by last season’s premiership winning jockey, Matt Cameron. It was SIR DARCI’S first run as a 4yo after recording a strong trial win at Te Teko on the 5th August. SIR DARCI had fashioned a very consistent record as a 3yo accumulating three wins and three minor placings from nine starts. Click HERE to see race replay

Fortuna Director, John Galvin was on hand to see his charge perform. ” He is developing into a lovely strong horse; as a 3yo we were always just a tad behind the eight ball with him due to a virus that he picked up pre Christmas,” said John Galvin, ” today he was fresh up over 1200 metres, he was very relaxed pre race but did race very keenly in the run; he came into contention as the turned for home, then seemed to hit a flat spot before finding another gear and charging home to win.” 

SIR DARCI’S primary initial target will be the  Couplands Bakeries Mile run at Riccarton on November 12th, but he will need to accumulate more ratings points to gain entry to that event.

SIR DARCI was selected by David Ellis on behalf of Fortuna at the 2012 Karaka Premier Sale from the draft of the Oaks Stud. Trained by Jason Bridgman, he is raced by the Fortuna Sir Darci Syndicate, an ownership group made up of thirty two individuals.

FORTUNA SYNDICATES four year old Gelding, HIGHLY LIKELY, showed that his debut win at Te Aroha in June, at just his second race day start, was no fluke, when taking out the Rating 65 1600 event at Matamata today. Freshened since his June win, connections regarded today’s distance as probably too short for this strapping son of High Chapparral out of the Volksraad mare Starrinka  and with track conditions steadily drying out, there was also a concern that the going may be too good for him. In his favour was a good barrier draw, blinkers for the first time and a 3kg weight allowance for apprentice jockey, Lee Magorrian. The horse just dwelt slightly at the start, however, his rider soon had him up on the rail just in behind the leaders and enjoyed a lovely run in transit. Magorrian peeled him out as they straightened and he burst to lead with 150 metres to go, however faced a stern challenge from Thats How We Roll, who was finishing like a train down the outside, but in a dramatic head bobbing finish, HIGHLY LIKELY got the nod from the judge. Click HERE to see the race replay

FORTUNA Director, John Galvin, who was on track along with a number of the Syndicate Members, was naturally proud of his charge. “He is a lovely horse, a real stayer in the making, he has come on beautifully since his Te Aroha win and still has a lot of maturing to do yet; we probably won’t see the best of him until he is a five and six year old. Full credit to the Te Akau team for their work with this horse; in particular Jamie Richards who rides him in most of his work and has taken him up Ann Brown’s hill at Cambridge a few time recently; this has contributed to his development and fitness levels as well.”

Trained by Jason Bridgman of Te Akau Racing, HIGHLY LIKELY was the top priced lot at the 2012 South Island sale, where he was selected on behalf of Fortuna by Te Akau Racing Supremo, David Ellis. The horse is raced by the Fortuna Highly Likely Syndicate, an ownership group consisting of 25 individuals.

The 3yo Fillies race over 1100 metres at the Taupo August meeting is often a starting point for some very good 3yo Fillies, with 2014 season Sprinter of The Year, BOUNDING winning in 2013 and the multiple Group winning Filly FIX in 2012 and todays renewal lacked little for class with eight of the ten runners having been successful as 2yo’s. The Fortuna runner DARCI’S DREAM was one of those who had been successful as a 2yo, having had five starts for one win, a second and a third. A smart trial winner at Te Teko on the 5th August, she had certainly declared her hand as having the potential to carry over her fine 2yo form into her 3yo season. Confidence in the camp was tempered by the quality of the field. In the run, DARCI’S DREAM was three wide but strode nicely into the race before the turn, however as they turned, she was six lengths shy of the race leader Queen of Navarre, who had not covered an inch of extra ground. 2014 Premiership winning jockey, Matthew Cameron, knuckled down to ride the Fortuna filly out and she showed great strength to run out the final two hundred metres strongly and take out the event. Click HERE to Race Video Replay.

Fortuna Director, John Galvin was on hand to cheer his charge home, “A great result for this horse, every Filly in the field today has Classic race aspirations and for her to win like that is a great thrill for us and all of her owners.” he said.

DARCI’S DREAM, bred by David Ellis and Karyn Fenton-Ellis, was acquired by Fortuna Syndicators at the 2013 Karaka Select Sale, is owned by the Darci’s Dream Syndicate, comprising 30 individual owners and is trained by Jason Bridgman.